SADIO MANE is now convinced he deserves to be part of football’s elite.

Liverpool news: Sadio Mane has scored three goals in the first two matches this season (Image: GETTY)

And according to Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp that will allow him to take the next step in his career and join Mo Salah in proving he can reach and sustain a world-class level.

Klopp has never had any doubt about his Senegal forward’s quality but he has recognises a new-found confidence in Mane, which he believes is the missing ingredient in allowing him to fulfil huge potential.

“Now he’s much more secure that this is his level,” said Klopp. “The players surprise themselves sometimes. ‘Wow, really? That’s how good I am?’ We all need to show our best and get used to it.

“It’s quality. We have to make sure we can show that every week. Who scores the goals is not too important but it was very important for us and very nice for him that he could do it in the last game.”

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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says Mane is proving all of the time (Image: GETTY)

It’s quality. We have to make sure we can show that every week

Jurgen Klopp

Mane has seen his odds slashed to become the Premier League’s top scorer after outstanding displays in scoring three goals in his first two games this season.

And that has come on the back of a fine performance in the Champions League final defeat by Real Madrid, when he scored Liverpool’s goal and was their best player.

There is a swagger in his play and a confidence he is a key player – which was also seen for Senegal at the World Cup – and Klopp also believes the African has embraced a pivotal role in the team that makes him such an important figure for the Reds.

Liverpool have won their first two games of the Premier League campiagn (Image: GETTY)

“Sadio’s a very consistent player for us. His work rate is great,” said Klopp. “We have a very strange 4-5-1 formation with Sadio as a midfielder, Bobby [Firmino] being a midfielder more or less and Mo being a striker even though he plays in a little different position.

“We talk about the defensive work rate they put in, that’s really important.”

Klopp is also confident Mane will sign a new contract with Liverpool. The forward is the last of the club’s top players to agree a new deal, with talks ongoing, but the manager remains relaxed as Mane still has three years remaining.